, 1887-02-26

We reproduce from the Courier Journal
of June 10, 1885, Mr.. Watterson's edi-
torial on President Cleveland's admins
tration written shortly after the celebrated
editors visit to Washington made for the
purpose OF a personal investigation Of the
political situation in general and the Dem
ocratic administration in particular. Mr..
Watterson, of course, gave expression 10
his honest views then. What has caused
his change Of heart during the past eigh-
teen months? Has President Cleveland
or have his constitutional advisers COM
mitted fatal errors since June, 1885? Or
has the editor Of the Courier-Journal
changed? His readers will saw that he
has sadly stultifed himself by his unjust
and venomous recent attacks upon Presi.
dent Cleveland.
The President and the Party.
That be serves his party best who serves
his country best is but a half truth. at
best a platitude. With US, as with other
nations, partyism is one thing, patriotism
quite another. We love our country not
As We serve our party, aud many a leader
who has sacrificed his party for the good
of his country has gone to the wall. The
president, for instance, is making an hon.
eat effort to improve the character and
efficiency of the public service. Every
one admits that it needs this sorely. But,
in attaining the reform, it is by no means
certain that Mr.. Cleveland will. though
performing a duty of great benefit to the
country, strengthen either the party or
his own power in it. The very contrary
may be the result The country will un-
doubleday gain, but the party may lose.
10 party interest and passion, and the
stimulation and sustenance which these
have received from the spoils system,
most OF the political evils Of our times
may be ascribed. Our sectional war
was largely a matter of party spirit. AT
the bottom of our wasteful expenditures
lies party spirit. Everything and every
body looks to party spirit to come to the
rescue of that which, left to stand upon
its own merits, would arouse universal
b aversion and be dismissed as little less
, than vile. Yet, spite OF all this, party
spirit remains IN full force, and thus far
the conscientious effort of the president
10 W WIFI cNciyOut hhoNo ought " pt
done. has awakened the suspicion and dis
content Of Democrats, without appcasing
the disappointed wrath OF the Republi-
cans. OF course we are upon the mere
threshold OF reform, and o4sa- i
good only till another iVp..;, a
result is yet to be T,yoland NAV
easy to see - FIl- S'''e'anu MA,
a~ccomyl;st ~nat. which more than any
o,ber ling is rcoded, and 81. himself tah
a v;c,in to party spirit Andrew john
soh' whom in some poinis tie president
resembles, did a eervic. he ms rsyer got
credit 70. il opposing tho ext emo and
revolutionary measures ~ the radicals, led
by Ihhdcus Stevens and Ben Butler. In
effect be saved the constitution, But he
continued the Republicans in power, and
incurred Il world of unmerlted oIium.
In his effort to give US u more business
like administration of the public service,
we are with the president. Whether it
be a hit Or a miss, good partyism or bad
partyism, IL is right in thought and right
in act. He has gone fast enough, and is
going fast enough. II he continues the
even tenor of his WAY, unruffled in tenn
per, and unmoyed in purpose, he will do
LEM Of present good, aud sow seed which
Sill grow and bear fruit. He may not be
popular or strong with tine file leaders.
He may lose the party votes. But
thoughtful men everywhere will think the
better Of him, and history will speak the
better of him, and the country will be the
better because he lived in it and was its
ohief magistrate. = Courier Journal, June,